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Nanoplastics transport in zebrafish brain: Molecular and phenotypic behavioral impacts
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This study tracked how nanoplastics of two sizes (50 nm and 200 nm) accumulate in and clear from zebrafish brains. Smaller nanoplastics built up more and lasted longer in the brain, causing greater damage to neurons and more behavioral changes like reduced activity and impaired learning. The findings suggest that the tiniest plastic particles may pose the most risk to brain health because they are harder for the body to remove.
Nanoplastics (NPs) can accumulate in animal brain, but their kinetics and potential adverse impacts on the brain are not yet understood. This study compared the impacts of 200 nm (L-NPs) and 50 nm (S-NPs) NPs on the zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain at environmentally relevant concentration (500 μg L), exploring how these nanoparticles were accumulated and removed, as well as their subsequent adverse effects at various biological levels. The bioconcentration factor and biological half-time in brain of L-NPs were 11.8 L kg and 1.54 d, while those for S-NPs were 18.9 L kg and 2.48 d, respectively. S-NPs displayed a higher tendency to accumulate and a slower elimination with a higher potential for long-term brain accumulation. Proteomic analysis of fish brain revealed that S-NPs exposure exhibited a higher level of differential expression of vesicle transport proteins. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that both NPs exposure significantly impacted pathways linked to inflammation and locomotion, while S-NPs additionally leading to increased enrichment of pathways associated with photoreceptor and phototransduction disorders. Both L-NPs and S-NPs caused damages in brain regions and even led to heightened oxidative stress across the whole brain regions. At the behavioral level, NPs induced abnormal patterns and feeding responses, and S-NPs further heightened the zebrafish sensitivity to light stimulation. Our study provides strong evidence of the risk of neurological diseases stemming from the prolonged accumulation of NPs in the brain, especially for the smaller-sized NPs.
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Neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics with different particle sizes at environment-related concentrations on early zebrafish embryos
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Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes at concentrations found in the environment and observed significant brain damage. The nanoplastics caused loss of neurons, shortened nerve fibers, and disrupted brain signaling systems that control behavior. Smaller nanoplastics caused the most severe damage because they could pass through protective barriers more easily, suggesting that the tiniest plastic particles pose the greatest risk to brain development.
From particle size to brain function: a zebrafish-based review of micro/nanoplastic-induced neurobehavioral toxicity and mechanistic pathways
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This review uses zebrafish as a model to examine how micro- and nanoplastics cause neurobehavioral toxicity, linking particle size to brain function disruption. Researchers summarize evidence that these plastic particles impair fish behavior and cause molecular-level damage in the nervous system. The findings highlight the growing concern that micro- and nanoplastics are emerging neurotoxicants in aquatic environments.
Size-dependent and tissue specific accumulation of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics in zebrafish
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Researchers tracked size-dependent accumulation of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in multiple zebrafish tissues, finding that smaller particles distributed more broadly throughout the body compared to larger ones. Nanoplastics showed greater systemic distribution including into brain and reproductive tissues, raising concerns about size-dependent health risks.
Mechanisms Underlying the Size-Dependent Neurotoxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Zebrafish
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Scientists discovered that smaller nanoplastics cause more severe brain and nerve damage in zebrafish than larger ones, and identified the molecular pathways behind this size-dependent toxicity. The smaller particles more easily crossed biological barriers and triggered greater oxidative stress and inflammation in the nervous system, which is important for understanding potential neurological risks of nanoplastic exposure.
Down to size: Exploring the influence of plastic particle Dimensions on physiological and nervous responses in early-stage zebrafish
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Researchers compared the effects of microplastics versus nanoplastics on developing zebrafish and found that only the nanoplastics (250 nanometers) were small enough to pass through the protective egg membrane and directly reach the embryo. The nanoplastics caused heart rate changes and neurotoxic effects at the larval stage, while the larger microplastics mainly affected the embryos indirectly from outside. This demonstrates that smaller plastic particles are more dangerous during early development because they can bypass protective barriers.
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